Improved washing-machine



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

L L. STEARNS, OF JERSEY SHORE, PENSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND L. N. MUIR, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVED WASHlNG-MACHINE.y

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,598, dated March 4 1862.

.in all figures of the drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the washing-machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal Vertical section, as indicated by the line 1 2 in Fig. 1.

The nature of myimprovement consists in the rcgulation or adjustment in the pressure upon theclothes or linen to be washed from the oscillating washing-frame by means of the arrangement of a spring-lever placed and applied in such a manner as will impart facility and ease in the pressure and at the same time admit of the oscillating Washingframe being raised to a sufficient height for the placing in of the clothes between the two surfaces, whereby a single and simple movement of the hand is all that is necessary to accomplish either, by the same machinery, in one and the same application of the hand, the spring-leverbeing so arranged in connection with the main operating-lever that both may be easily grasped and embraced by the hand.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and use myimprovement, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A is the washing-box of a longitudinal form, the size of which may be increased or diminished at the option of the manufacturer, supported and resting on legs g g g g, of a proportionate length from the ground or fioor, fitted and made to slide in and out of dovetail cleats 'w w screwed on the outsides of the box for convenience and portability, one screw to each being sufficient to hold them in their places' k lc are two upright pieces of suitable width screwed onto the outsides about midway of Ithe box, projecting a reasonable height from the top of the box. Near the top of each of the uprights k k are openings cut in from the sides of sufiicient size to receive the top transverse piece or axle j, the ends of which are made to slip in and out of the openings, a small movable brass catch-plate Z, playing upon a small pivot-screw fastened one on the outside of each of the uprights k k just above the hole or opening, being closed down on the transverse piece or axle to hold it steady in its place while in operation.

B is the main operating-lever, of a size and length proportionate to the use of the hand and position of the body of the operator, fitted and made to slip in and out of a receiver m, of a suitable size and form, having a thumbscrew n to hold it in its place, which incloses entirely the transverse piece or axle j in the center, as seen more clearly in Fig. 1. Attached and joined to the transverse piece or axlej are two uprights S S, the tops of which may be seen more clearly in Fig. 1, extending down a little way from the top of the box on the inside.

z' is a transverse piece, parallel with the top or upper one, fitted loosely in between the two uprights S S,having in the center an opening or passage through for the free and easy admission of the fiat peculiar-formed spring D.

vSecured and fastened to the transverse piece z' are two Vertical shafts 7th, which move up and from the action of the sprmg-lever O through boxes o o screwed on the insides of the uprights S S. Attached and fastened to the bottom ends of the Vertical shafts h h is the oscillating -washing-frame E, having a transverse piece o of an ordinary width and thickness, with a corrugated surface underneath. On each side of it are two revolving rollers U U. Immediately underneath and resting on the bottom of the box is the stationary frame F, held in its place by cleats p p p p, screwed on the insides of the box, which is so made as to be slipped in and out, having a series of transverse revolving rollers t' t' of ordinary diameters equidistant apart, every other one being stationary, the top surface of the frame being the segment of a circle. This frame may be used the same as a common Washing-board, (by removing the upper oscillating washing-frame E,) which is desired sometimes when more eareful and deiieate washing is necessary by the common process of the hand.

C is the spring-Iever placed above at a suffieient an gle from the main Operating-level' B, (as to be easily grasped and embraeed by the hand in connection With it,) playing upon a pivot Q, at its vertex, then extending through the main operating-lever B, a suffioient opening or passage being made to allow of a free and easy movement therein, as clearly seen in Fig. 2. Continuing, it assumes a ourved form until it meets the pecuiiar-formed flat spring D. It is then connected With it by means of a square link fu, somewhat analogous in form to a buokle'strap, the centerpin being omitted. D is a fiat spring fastened by means of screws near the opening or passage through on the main operating-lever B, describing a half-Circle. It ineiines gradually into and through the passag'e or opening in the transverse piece In the operation of my improvement, by

'piaeing the hand on the main Operating-level' B and at the same time embracing the springlever O, a Variable degree of pressure proportionate to the layer or thiekness of clothes to be washed is obtained by a eorresponding proportionate degree of exertion and raising the oseiiiating frameE in the application and use of one hand only, thereby accompiishing L. L. STEARNS.

Witnesses: I

EDWR. F. BROWN, GILBERT B. ToWLEs. 

